BOLTON comedian Sophie Willan is back in her hometown filming for the complete series of Alma's Not Normal.

TV crews rolled in on Bank Holiday Monday with Sophie, who has also written the five part comedy, sharing her excitement at being back on social media, posting behind the scenes footage on social media.

Parking has been suspended on Le Mans Crescent as filming takes place inside Bolton Library and Museum ­— with 'Alma Unit' signs being posted on lampposts in the crescent.

Taking to Twitter, Sophie posted: "Scenes with the fabulous Lorraine Ashbourne this morning #almasnotnormal @Bolton".

On Instagram, she and Lorraine take time out to do a piece to camera.

A pilot TV episode of the comedy was shown on BBC2 last year and such has been the response from audiences and critics alike that the BBC commissioned a further five episodes.

A delighted Sophie previously told The Bolton News: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the fabulous response to the pilot.

"I can’t wait to get it made and share the world of Alma with everyone.”

Inspired by Sophie’s own experiences, it follows Alma who is trying to rebuild her life after a break-up while dealing with her heroin addict mum and an eccentric grandma.

Like the pilot episode, the series will be filmed in and around Bolton where Sophie grew up.

She spent much of her teens in care as her mother was an addict before being found accommodation by the Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme.

Filming was also taking place in the old Bolton Magistrates Court for another production at the same time. Although it has not been confirmed for which series scenes were being filmed, crime drama Traces has been on location in Bolton Town Centre.

Only a few weeks ago the production team filmed a explosive scene outside Market Place Centre, which had people believing a bomb had been detonated.

Traces stars Line of Duty actor Martin Compston.

Shane Allen, the BBC’s Controller of Comedy Commissioning said: “Alma’s Not Normal landed so wonderfully formed with its distinctiveness, heart on sleeve charm, sparky humour and knockout cast.

“Sophie’s raw honesty, eye for characterisation and comedic insouciance have resulted in a cracking show bursting with potential.”

Critics were equally impressed with the pilot show with one describing it as “Phoenix Nights meets Fleabag, guided by the spirit of Victoria Wood”.

Sophie has become one of the rising stars of the stand-up circuit with a series of one-woman shows and she was also the winner of the Caroline Aherne Bursary Award, named after the Royle Family creator, which allowed her to work on Alma’s Not Normal.

The show’s executive producer Nerys Evans said: “Her writing is so authentic and intelligent; in just one episode she has created such a fully-formed world. Her characters are beautifully observed and often flawed and sometimes challenging, but Sophie’s humour allows her to explore some really difficult subjects.